Page 79 of Embracing Love

“You should know he always stood up for you when the whole lawsuit reared its ugly head.”

“Oh?”

Nadine continued, “He didn’t have to stand up for you. You had no part in the stuff that went wrong. But Gabriel always stood up for you. Think about it Tanya, you weren’t there. He didn’t do it to please you. He did it because he probably cares about you.”

“So why would he give me the cold shoulder? He said it would be best to lie low because of the lawsuit. But a couple of words here and there wouldn’t have gone amiss. I have no idea where I stand.”

“He was probably more pragmatic about the whole thing and didn’t want your name to get mixed up in all of this. I think you ought to cut the guy some slack.”

Tanya huffed. “Let’s not waste the day talking about Gabriel. You’re here, it’s almost the end of the day, I’m sure you’re tired. Have you checked into the hotel yet?”

Nadine shook her head. “My luggage is waiting in reception. I wanted to come and see you first.”

“Good. You’re staying at mine tonight. You can save the hotel for when Ethan gets here, but we still have to catch up. I’ll make something nice to eat.”

“Let’s go out,” suggested Nadine, “I love being in Paris. And the weather is perfect.”

~ ~

The moment his eyes made out Tanya, his heart began to race. Was that Nadine next to her? The familiar shock of her auburn hair confirmed it, and he saw the two women about to get into a taxi.

“Tanya!” his walking pace sped up to a run. “Tanya, wait!” But he was too far away. She didn’t hear him and the taxi drove off.

Damn.

Too late.

Gabriel wiped his hand over his face and glared at the car now almost out of sight. He’d only just missed her by a few seconds.

Damn Russell and his conference call.

He felt the tightness close over his eyes as it occurred to him that Tanya now knew everything.

She would have heard from Nadine and she’d be wondering why he hadn’t told her a thing.

The only reason he’d held off calling her as soon as the news broke was because he wanted to tell her face-to-face. She deserved that much.

He wanted to tell her there were no legal problems standing in their way anymore. That her ad campaign could continue and, he hoped, so could they.

But these were words he wanted to say to her face, so that he could read her reaction, so that he could ward off her denials, and answer her concerns. He already knew she was mad at him, and the only way he would get through to her would be to talk to her in person.

But she was probably even madder at him now.

He assumed Nadine would have told her everything. Even his suggestion about the four of them getting together. He hadn’t made any fast plans, but had seen the opportunity for the four of them to meet up.

He’d assumed that he and Tanya would have had time to meet and talk about things by then.

But it had all gone completely wrong.

So much for the euphoria he’d felt earlier.

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